Jenaya Wade-Fray’s Standard Life GB women's coach Tom Maher is ready for the final phase of his team's preparations for their EuroBasket qualifiers.
"We've had a four day break, and that's all part of the preparation. I'm hoping they'll come back refreshed and ready to go - it's serious business now" he said.
Maher's team have had a long summer programme as they look to qualify for the EuroBasket Finals for the first time, and he's delighted with the commitment the players have shown:
"The players have really jumped on board, putting heart and soul into doing it right, and everyone has committed really well. They're going about it the right way, and they know that being good doesn't come easy" he said.
GB still have to contend with a few injury concerns including Jo Leedham and Azania Stewart, but Maher has received a boost with the news that Natalie Stafford has received her British passport and is now eligible for the forthcoming EuroBasket qualifiers.
GB completes their test games next week when they travel to Tel Aviv to face Israel on three successive nights, starting on Monday.
The teams met in the 2007 EuroBasket qualifiers, with Israel beating Britain 74-59 in Tel Aviv and 100-80 in Cardiff on the way to winning the group with a 7-1 record. However, they surprisingly failed in the finals in Latvia, losing all three first round games.
Maher is concentrating on his own team, rather than worrying about the tough opposition that Israel will provide:
"I'm not scouting them, just focusing on us and ensuring we're in the best possible shape" he said.
I think we're going about it in the right way, and three games in as many days against Israel will be a good preparation for us. It's certainly a test to play that kind of schedule."
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